Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has unveiled The Academy, a new strategic pillar aimed at extending the university’s influence beyond research and into global cultural and societal engagement around AI.
The launch took place in the presence of His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Member of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, alongside Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The announcement coincided with the university’s five-year celebrations and the graduation of the sixth cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Program.
The event also marked the introduction of the AI x Arts Fellowship. The inaugural cohort of eight fellows includes Refik Anadol, James Gerde, Emi Kusano, Lachlan Turczan, Amrita Sethi, Daniel Ambrosi, Ahmad AlAttar and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. Two residencies planned for 2026 will enable collaboration with AI scientists and cultural institutions across Abu Dhabi.
Spring Chunxiao Fu, Managing Director at the MBZUAI Academy said: “The launch of The Academy reflects the mission of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to move AI beyond the laboratory and into the heart of society. By bringing together the world’s greatest minds – from the artists in our new fellowship to the leaders in our executive programmes – we hope to shape the narratives and elevate the global conversation beyond technology to purpose and impact, while contributing to Abu Dhabi’s ambitious role in the global AI landscape.”
Hosted at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, the launch event included curated previews from MBZUAI’s art collections, exploring how science has influenced culture.
The Academy also encompasses the MBZUAI Executive Program, which empowers leaders to deploy AI in support of national strategies.
The event concluded with the presentation of Leading Capstone Projects, including an AI-powered longevity companion designed to support healthier living. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
